By Diarmuid O’Murchu (Orbis, 2014)

In Ken Burns’ powerful new documentary, Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor need no embellishing.

Earlier this year President Obama admitted in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres that he watches the Netflix thriller House of Cards. The show follows Washington power couple Frank and Claire Underwood (played by Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright) as they scheme their way up the political ranks, all the way to the White House.